A 12-page Department of Civil Rights report, completed in February and provided to Isthmus, found both men blameless for a conversation in which they speculated about a sexual relationship involving two Water Utility employees.

The employee who complained alleged that Nelson "yelled" his alleged comments; the investigators found no evidence to support this. But it did say loose talk about the matter by an unidentified Human Resources employee "should be a concern."

It was the second major probe in recent months to fully exonerate high-ranking city officials of alleged misconduct (see "Briski Cleared in Probe," 3/6/09). Indeed, both called the honesty and integrity of the complainers into question.

In its own review ("Cieslewicz's Office Closes Door on Complaints," 1/9/09), the mayor's office suggested Nelson was wrong to have discussed the issue with Wirtz. But the Department of Civil Rights deemed this an appropriate discussion. It also found no evidence to support that Nelson retaliated against one of the employees.